Pipe separator for the separation of fluids, particularly oil, gas and water

Abstract

A pipe separator for the separation of fluids, for example the separation of oil, gas and water in connection with the extraction and production of oil and gas from formations beneath the sea bed. The pipe separator includes a pipe-shaped separator body ( 1 ) with an inlet and outlet that principally corresponds to a transport pipe ( 4, 7 ) to which the pipe separator is connected. The pipe separator further includes a pipe bend or loop ( 2 ) arranged in the pipe separator or in connection with its outlet to form a downstream fluid seal in relation to the pipe separator body ( 1 ), which is designed to maintain a fluid level in the pipe separator, but which also allows the pipe separator ( 1 ) and the loop ( 2 ) to be pigged.

1. A fluid separator for the separation of fluids comprising oil and water in connection with the extraction and production of oil and gas from formations beneath the sea bed, the separator comprising:
 a pipe separator for separating the oil and the water, the pipe separator having an inlet and an outlet; 
 a first transport pipe connected to the inlet of the pipe separator; 
 a pipe bend, connected to the outlet of the pipe separator, for forming a downstream fluid seal in relation to the pipe separator and maintaining a fluid level in the pipe separator, wherein the pipe separator and the pipe bend are arranged to permit the pipe separator and the pipe bend to be pigged; 
 a drainage pipe for draining the separated water from the separator; and 
 a second transport pipe, connected to a downstream end of the pipe bend, for transporting the separated oil. 
 
   
   
     2. A fluid separator in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a well head disposed upstream of the pipe separator, a cyclone connected to the well head for the separation of gas, and a pipe connected to the second transport pipe for conducting the gas back to the second transport pipe downstream of the pipe separator. 
   
   
     3. A fluid separator in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a gas bypass pipe for conducting gas around the pipe bend, wherein an inlet of the gas bypass pipe is connected upstream of the pipe separator, and an outlet of the gas bypass is connected to the second transport pipe disposed downstream of the pipe separator. 
   
   
     4. A fluid separator in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a compact electrostatic coalescer, and an additional separator disposed downstream of the compact electrostatic coalescer, wherein separated fluid from the additional separator can be conducted to a nearby well. 
   
   
     5. A fluid separator in accordance with  claim 2 , further comprising a compact electrostatic coalescer and an additional separator disposed downstream of the compact electrostatic coalescer, wherein gas from the cyclone can be conducted to the second transport pipe downstream of the additional separator, and separated fluid from the additional separator can be conducted to a nearby well. 
   
   
     6. A fluid separator in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the pipe bend includes a first section extending upwardly from the pipe separator, a second portion extending downwardly to the second transport pipe.